Limited Seating
$65 in advance
$80 at the door (Only if there is room.)

The construction of a motion picture uses filmmaking “grammar” in the same way that a book relies on written grammar. In this intensive, fast-track talk, Steve Hickner covers basic and advanced filmmaking principles and techniques that will help any artist improve their work. From step one fundamentals like aspect ratios to more complex techniques to help focus the audience’s eye, the student will learn how to storyboard their films better, and translate those boards into storyreels. He will also touch on the subject of creating characters , building audience interest and briefly cover how animation and live action intersect.

Using film clips from Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Akria Kurasawa and others, Hickner will demonstrate the techniques these filmmakers use to make their story points leap off the screen. In addition to the works of fabled directors, Hickner will show storyboards that he has created for this class to demonstrate how any artist can bring greater clarity to their storyreels. Among the topics covered will be: composition, staging, eye trace, types of shots, camera tricks to make your films sizzle and more. This is a high-speed experience, full of lessons Hickner has learned in his thirty-plus year career digested into one day. If you are a beginner or a professional, this talk will be informative for you.

Meet Steve Hickner:

Steve Hickner is a film director at DreamWorks Animation. He has directed the films “The Prince of Egypt” and “Bee Movie.” He has also worked as storyboard artist on “Over the Hedge,” “Madagascar,” “Shark Tale,” “Shrek Forever After,” and “Antz.” Steve began his career at Walt Disney Animation Studios, then moved to Steven Spielberg’s Amblimation where he worked as a producer for “An American Tail: Fievel Goes West” and “Balto.”